Disturbed were thrust into the mainstream in 2000 when their debut album, “The Sickness,” and hits such as “Down with the Sickness” and “Stupify.” When Disturbed first hit the airwaves, there were sometimes referred to as nu-metal, but drummer Mike Wengren disagrees with that characterization.

“I don’t think we were ever a nu-metal band to begin with,” Wengren told Denver’s Westword. “I just think we happened to come out around the same time.”

“Unfortunately, as great as some of those bands were, they’re not around anymore,” he added. “I think that we have a connection with the fans, we write music about real stuff, and people are able to connect to that, whether it’s through the power of the music or being able to connect through the experiences of the lyrics. I think they get it, so they stuck with us for all these years.”

Disturbed are touring to promote their latest studio album, “Immortalized.” Before releasing “Immortalized,” the guys took a nearly five year hiatus.

“We certainly did need the break,” Wengren said. “We were always brothers, we always get along and love each other, but things had become sort of stale. It was always work, work, work. After twelve years practically going straight with writing, recording and touring, it just became a little monotonous, and we just needed to take a step back…”

He added that the break has “been so rejuvenating. We just came back with our batteries recharged, hungrier than ever. We put out a great record, and we’ve been touring and touring hard, but also we’re at the peak level of the band as far as performances are concerned.”